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Idle hours - what is counted in that?

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Dan_69GTX

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Does the truck count "idle" hours just when the truck is sitting in park/neutral? Or, does it count anything where the vehicle speed is zero, such as when you are sitting at a stoplight, transmission in drive, waiting for the light to change.

Thanks
 
I cant say for positive but it may be counting even if engine is off but key is in run position. Thought I noticed that on my truck a couple months ago. Haven't taken the time to check it again though. I thought it was in acc mode and am pretty sure I noticed the readout change it just happened to be on that screen. Then I check and realize I was in run mode not acc. Since it only reads hours it can't be readily checked without sitting there for up to an hour. Aside from that possibility I believe Cummins12v98 is correct.
 
Cool, thanks! That would explain why it seems my idle hours are higher than expected.

I have never left the key in the ignition without the engine running, so that would not be it, at least for me. Would be interesting to know if that is something that happens. My Kabota tractor does not count hours unless the engine is running. Does not matter what position the key is in. I found that out when I was using the loader to move stuff around while welding on it. Left the key on when I stopped for the evening. The next day the hour meter was where it was before. It is a newer one with the digital dash. One of the last before everything went computerized. The only thing in that tractor that is computerized is the dash. Kinda like my old 96 2500.
 
As indicated in the picture. I have 4 idle hours.

Sept 18th, 2017will be my 4th anniversary with Blue Brute, my 2013 midnight blue tradesman.

4 idle hours in 4 years..... Not bad, eh?

20170831_180108.jpg
 
Let me guess....you just leave it in 1st gear and slowly drive in large circles in a field.. No stop lights, no idling! :)
 
I would pass on a pending sale if I saw this very thing.

Reason being: I see the PO never took the time to let the oil warm up enough to properly lube anything!!
 
The engine warms up faster if you are putting a light load on it.

I never idle to warm up That's an especially bad idea on a diesel. It will take several times longer to warm up when idling vs having a light load..... And excessive idling is also harder on the DPF in my experience.
 
Well, I'm pretty sure my EVIC is counting wrong.

It probably should be somewhere between 104 idle hours and 204 idle hours.
 
You sooooooooooo thoroughly confuse me :confused: when you say this....

.....then supply a link to an article that totally contradicts what you previously stated.....

I don't see the word "idle" in what you post here. Maybe it is cut off?

I did not say not to warm up. I said idling is not the best way to "warm up". I will drive lightly to warm up in all weather. The title of this thread contains the word "idle".

In fact, I drive at 15-20 mph for the first mile to get out of my residential neighborhood.
(Third and 4th gear. ) This is my "warm up".
And I run my TSB in valet mode.

The article clearly says that unburned diesel can glaze the cylinders (walls) and create a coating that prevents rings from sealing when idling cold. I believe this is worse than any cold oil lube issues.

It's your truck, idle it all you want
But I believe low idle hours does not hurt the value or longevity of my truck. I plan on keeping the truck for 20 years. Not selling. And I'm using synthetic oil to insure I have no cold start lube issues.

I do appreciate your concern about my truck warm up procedure
 
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I said idling is not the best way to "warm up". I will drive lightly to warm up in all weather.
No.......you specifically said..
You are supposed to idle a few mins to cool the turbo after towing. Not supposed to idle to warm up.
:rolleyes: I guess....if we ALL lived in balmy south FL, that we could all lightly drive our trucks to warm up 12 months out of the year. :rolleyes:
And I run my TSB in valet mode.
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In fact, I drive at 15-20 mph for the first mile to get out of my residential neighborhood.
(Third and 4th gear. ) This is my "warm up".
Butttttttttt....the article you linked states plainly that "Diesel engines are not start-and-go machines and therefore a warmup period, however brief, is recommended after starting a cold engine."
The article clearly says that unburned diesel can glaze the cylinders (walls) and create a coating that prevents rings from sealing when idling cold. I believe this is worse than any cold oil lube issues.
There is a difference in FACT and OPINION...looks like you are simply opining again.
It's your truck, idle it all you want
Thanks!!! I appreciate granting me permission!!!

I do appreciate your concern about my truck warm up procedure
I guess if I lived in a very urban area and I rarely EVER towed anything, I would be losing sleep at night in regards to my Grocery Getter and over the idling & warm ups, too!!! :rolleyes:
It's your truck, idle it all you want
Somehow or other along the way, during this past 500 idle hours, 5,199 drive hours, and 281,143 miles of ownership, this hunk of RAM has managed to hold itself together.....even with winter time idling and block heater use.

It is truly a miracle!!!! :rolleyes:
 
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You're correct. I don't tow as often as I like. But if anyone needs anything towed to Homestead or the Florida Keys, just drop it here at my street, and I'll take it the rest of the way. I'll even pay the fuel. As long as it doesn't surpass my rear tire rating
 
So how do I distinguish between regular driving and "warmup" driving?

I will give you my interpretation.

1) Warm up driving
A) Throttle sensitivity booster in valet mode.
B) Coolant and oil temps (even calculated) below 170-180°F
C) Keep Tach below 1600 RPM (about half of redline.) Never above 1800.

2) Regular driving
A) TSB on 150-200%
B) Engine and oil at operating temps
C) Driving like I stole it.
 
From Cummins a 3-5 minute idle is acceptable before a big load is applied, but anything more than 10 minutes is considered excessive and should be avoided at any engine/ambient temp. Wet stacking can occur at any temperature, and low idle on a cold motor can cause carbon buildup in the cylinder, valve sticking, and reduced performance. This is all from the Cummins Common Rail ISB owners manual.

Cummins uses 1000 rpms and 140°F coolant temps as minimums in the event that extended idle is needed.

Unless it's VERY cold I idle for 30 seconds or so and then drive very easy until things warm up. With my motors setup it's more cold blooded than it was stock and can often take 12 miles, or more, for the thermostat to open on a COLD day with a winter front, and idling would take way too long. I don't like using the exhaust brake on a cold motor either as I have noticed it has a direct correlation to the amount of soot in the oil.

When it's super cold I will allow it to idle at 1,000 for a little longer, but it has to be colder than 10° F.

So there is some acceptability for idling a cold motor, but not for a prolonged time.
 
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